Produce industry headlines: July 16, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Thursday, July 16, 2026. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Read about grocers’ strategy for customers with low financial confidence and another study showing consumers buying groceries using savings and credit, plus Grocery Outlet’s store opening plans, the challenge to define “ultraprocessed foods,” photo coverage of the Organic Produce Summit, and more.

As always, have something to share? Send us your feedback at news@bluebookservices.com.

Top Stories

Number Sense: Grocers are facing a new reality when it comes to inflation

Food inflation is well below its peak of a few years ago, but consumer confidence remains low.

More shoppers using savings, credit cards to buy groceries: report

A new report shows that nearly 20% of shoppers ages 18-64 used their savings to buy groceries last year, and 10% used buy now, pay later options.

Grocery Outlet is back opening stores

The retailer plans to open a California store next week, and 30+ planned later this year, which comes after it closed 36 stores earlier in 2026.

Defining ultraprocessed foods proves ‘challenging,’ FDA food head says

Acting FDA deputy commissioner of food Donald Prater said defining “ultraprocessed foods” remains a Trump administration priority.

Industry gathers in Monterey for 10th OPS

As the annual Organic Produce Summit kicked off July 15, see photo coverage here.

Citrus supply from South Africa steadily arriving

Citrus from South Africa has packed and shipped about two-thirds of its volume to the U.S., with weekly container arrivals into Philadelphia and Savannah, GA.